As the spooky season approaches, brands are getting into the Halloween spirit with creative, engaging, and often humorous digital or print marketing campaigns. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite Halloween-themed ads from well-known national brands that perfectly capture the essence of the holiday. From playful to eerie, these marketing campaigns show how brands can leverage Halloween to create memorable experiences.
1. Bacardi - "Unmask Your Spirit"
Bacardi’s Halloween ad encourages people to "Unmask Your Spirit," featuring a model with half her face painted in a skeleton mask. The ad sets a mysterious and edgy vibe, making it an eye-catching way to associate Bacardi with the Halloween festivities. The tagline plays on the double meaning of 'spirit,' cleverly linking it to both the holiday and the product.
2. Crest - "Has You Covered"
Crest’s campaign, "#BringOnTheCandy," uses the Halloween season to promote their dental care products. The ad humorously assures parents that their children can indulge in candy without worry, as Crest 'has them covered.' This playful twist on a holiday known for candy overload effectively communicates the brand’s core message while fitting seamlessly into the Halloween theme.
3. M&M's - "Nothing's Scarier Than Raisins"
M&M’s went for a humorous approach by depicting one of their characters in a dark, eerie forest, terrified of the thought of getting raisins instead of candy. The line, "Nothing’s scarier than a house without M&M’s," brings a chuckle and highlights the product as the ultimate Halloween treat. This ad uses humor to stand out, turning a common childhood disappointment into a memorable marketing moment.
4. McDonald's - "Happy Halloween"
In this simple yet striking ad, McDonald's turned two of their iconic fries into vampire fangs, with one fry dipped in ketchup to resemble blood. The dark background and minimalist design make this ad both clever and instantly recognizable, showing how even subtle, playful designs can make a strong impression.
5. Mini Cooper - "Save a Pumpkin, Carve the Road"
Mini Cooper’s Halloween ad creatively turns the car into a glowing jack-o'-lantern, emphasizing the brand’s playful personality. The clever tagline, "Save a Pumpkin, Carve the Road," reinforces the brand's sporty and fun nature, encouraging viewers to hit the road in their Mini this Halloween.
6. Oreo - "Spooky"
Oreo keeps things playful with their “Spooky” ad featuring Halloween-themed cookies. The ad spells out the word "SPOOKY" using Oreo cookies, decorated with spider webs, pumpkins, and other Halloween designs. The bright orange filling ties the look together, making this campaign visually appealing and festive.
7. Pepsi - "We Wish You a Scary Halloween"
Pepsi’s cheeky ad pokes fun at its rival Coca-Cola, dressing a Pepsi can in a Coca-Cola cape. The tagline, "We wish you a scary Halloween," humorously implies that dressing as Coca-Cola is the scariest thing a Pepsi can do. This clever rivalry ad demonstrates how brands can playfully reference their competitors without being too direct.
8. Pizza Hut - "Worth Coming Back For"
Pizza Hut’s Halloween ad features a slice of pizza being held by a zombie hand emerging from the grave, emphasizing that their pizza is "worth coming back for." This spooky, yet amusing visual effectively ties in with the Halloween theme, while reminding customers of their irresistible pizza.
Conclusion These Halloween campaigns show how brands can creatively connect their products with the holiday spirit, using humor, wordplay, and visual elements to engage audiences. Whether it’s by adding a spooky twist to their product design or playfully referencing competitors, these ads are a reminder that Halloween offers a fun opportunity for brands to show off their personality and captivate their audience.
